Folder.



No. 788,365. I PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905. S. R. COLEMAN.

FOLDER.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1904.

wikwzomm attorney's 'NITED STATES Patented February 21, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

.5 HALF TO JAMES ALLEN DORSEY, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

FOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,365, dated February 21, 1905.

' Application filed September 19, 1904. Serial No. 225.080.

enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in files, and more particularly to a secure vertical folder.

' The object of the invention is to improve the construction of a folder or file which is formed from a single sheet of material and is adapted to be folded so as to expose an integral guide or name-slip.

Another object of the invention is to provide upon a file which is formed from a single sheet of material indicating means. which is formed in the body portion of the sheet.

A still further object of the invention is to improve the construction of a folder or file which is formed from a blank sheet of material, said sheet being provided with an integral slip or extension and with a crimped flap for the purpose of permitting of the expansion of the file when necessary, owing to the filling of the same.

WVith these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as Will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank sheet of material cut and crimped in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a completed folder or file similar to that depicted in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, except that the indicating integral guide or extension is formed upon the right end portion of the flap.

In the ordinary vertical file or folder which is not provided with a crimped flap having an integral tongue cut therein the contents of the folder would be exposed to view at the upper edge thereof. Furthermore, by means of the flap the contents are securely retained between the folded sides of the folder or file by reason of the fact that the flap being folded over upon one side thereof would be caused to positively bear against the side of the next contiguous folder in the drawer of a file-case when several folders are placed therein.

The crimped portion of the flap permits of the expansion of the file to accommodate additional matter which is placed in the folder from time to time. The indicating means formed upon the file facilitates the selection of the same when it is placed in the drawer of a file-case.

By reason of the surrounding of the filed contents of each folder the particular folder can be quickly removed from the drawer, thereby facilitating the transferring of the folder from one case to another. Owing to the construction of the blank sheet of material, a simple folder is produced, which minimizes time and labor consumed in the em ployment of the ordinary folder or file in a transfer system.

The natural tendency of the open folder is to spraddle out and buckle down, and taken altogether they present a confused, ragged, and untidy appearance.

The folders are preferably constructed with the indicating-tongue alternately upon the right and left portion of the flap thereof.

Referring to the drawings by reference-numerals, 1 designates a sheet of material. preferably oblong in shape, which is folded at 2 and 3 throughout its Width, providing sides i .and 5 of substantially the same dimensions,

which are adapted to be folded into approximately parallel positions.

The creasing or folding of the sheet of material at 3 also provides a flap 6. The flap 6 is provided with a slit 7, producing an indicating tongue or guide 8 at the edge of side 4, upon which tongue any suitable data may be inscribed. The flap 6 is crimped at 9 for the purpose of permitting of an expansion of the sides A and 5 as additional letters or the like are placed Within the folder. As heretofore stated, the tongue 8 is alternately formed upon the right and left portion of the sheet 1, so as to facilitate the operation of a system employing folders which are constructed in accordance with the present invention. When the folders are placed in the drawer of a filecase, the tongues 8 will project above the folders, thereby exposing to view the data which may be written thereon for disclosing the contents of the folder or file.

A drawer containing folders of the construction described has a neat appearance, as they will resemble a plurality of envelops placed side by side within a drawer.

The flap 6 is of the same width at 10 as the remaining portion of the sheet, and it is beveled at 11 toward the outer end thereof. The flap is of suflicient length as to extend to approximately the central portion of the sides of the folder, assuring of the same being securely retained against the side of the folder for positively retaining the contents therein by means of the next folder pressing against the same. In the ordinary structure as the contents of each file increases it necessarily follows that the folded sides will be expanded, thereby necessitating the flap 6 to be curved over the folded end 3 of side 4 and the outer end of side 5. To obviate the undesirable effect of the tongue being curved or mutilated by reason of the contents spreading the sides apart, I have provided a crimped flap, as specified, which produces expansible retaining means for the outer edge of sides 4 and 5, as it will be obvious that the outer end of flap 6 will be pressing against the next folder or file when placed within a drawer of the file-case.

The flap 6 protects the top edge of the letters which may be filed in the folder and holds the folder together. While the flaps of the folders are crimped, thereby permitting the same to expand according to their contents, they always hold the same perfectly secure.

While 1 have described in the foregoing description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred construction of my invention, it will be obvious to one versed in the art to which this invention relates that certain alterations, modifications, and changes may be made, and I therefore reserve the right to make such alterations, modifications, and changes as shall fairly fall within the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the character described, comprising a blank sheet of material creased to provide two sides of substantially the same dimensions and a flap provided with a slit and flap integral with one of said sides, and an uncrimped tongue formed in the crimped portion of said flap adapted to project in approximately the same plane from one of the sides of the folder.

3. Adevice of the character described, comprising two sides of sheet material, a flap projecting from one of said sides and adapted to be folded over and against the opposite side, said flap provided with a slitted portion near one side thereof, said slitted portion providing indicating means projecting from one of the sides, and the unslitted portion of said flap crimped throughout its width.

4. A device of the character described, comprising two sides provided with open ends, an expansible inclosing member formed upon one of the sides and inclosing the upper edge of the opposite side, and an integral extension stamped from said member and projecting from the side upon which the same is formed.

5. As an improved article of manufacture, a vertical folder for file-cases, comprising a sheet of material folded to form side inclosing portions and a flap portion, the flap portion being slitted to form a tongue, and so constructed and arranged that when the flap portion is folded over to close the folder at its upper edge, the tongue portion will project above the upper edge thereof and constitute a guide or name slip, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN RUTLEDGE COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

J NO. J. OoLLINs, JOHN C. ROBERTSON. 

